PM bid to block Scotland’s choice would be “undemocratic and unsustainable”

The decision of the Scottish Parliament must be respected, the First Minister said today in response to comments from the Prime Minister which appeared to suggest she would block the people of Scotland having a choice over their future.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Theresa May said “now is not the time” for a second referendum on independence.”

The Prime Minister added: “I think we should be working to get the right deal for Scotland and the UK with our future partnership with the European Union.”

The First Minister set out proposals on Monday to seek the Scottish Parliament’s approval for a referendum to take place giving people the choice between a hard Brexit and an independent Scotland after the Brexit deal is clear but before it is too late to choose an alternative path. A vote on whether a second referendum should be held is scheduled to take place next week in the Scottish parliament.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“As I set out earlier this week, we are not proposing a referendum now – we are proposing to give the people of Scotland a choice once Brexit is clear but before it is too late.

“The PM does not appear to have listened to our proposal.

“We will put our proposition, based firmly on this government’s democratic mandate, to the Scottish Parliament next week, and then we will put our formal proposals to the UK Government.

“If the Prime Minister refuses to engage on the terms of a referendum before Brexit takes place then she is effectively trying to block the people of Scotland having a choice over their future. That would be a democratic outrage.

“It is for the Scottish Parliament – not Downing Street – to determine the timing of a referendum, and the decision of the Scottish Parliament must be respected.

“It would be outrageous for the Scottish Parliament to be frozen out of the process.

“The Scottish Government has a cast-iron democratic mandate to offer people a choice and that mandate must be fulfilled.

“Any bid by the UK Government to block the people of Scotland from making a choice will be untenable, undemocratic and totally unsustainable – and clearly shows that the UK Government recognises it is out of step with the Scottish people.”

I just hope Scottish people say yes to another referendum because it would be great to get away from that Theresa May and the rest off them let them muck up there country don’t let Tories muck scotland up freedom come on s.n.p I say yes

Hope the nay Sayers and unionists can look themselves in the mirror when seeing Scotland’s democratic rights thrown to the side by tessy May, and her little helpers of Harrison and mundane…a parcel of rogues is a charitable description..does that mean it’s now on for 20/21 or what…disheartening stuff…

Holyrood will discuss timing next week. If it’s knocked back then there is a process. Holyrood can go on strike and 56 wm mps can withdraw to Scotland. May can’t run the UK on her own and certainly can’t negotiate Brexit without Holyrood.

Forget the 300 year old Union – Forget this partnership of nations – Forget the false promises of the Vow – Forget the Supreme Court ruling on Holyrood powers or rather the lack of them – Forget Cameron’s vindictive morning after EVEL – Forget 56 powerless Scottish Westminster MPs – Forget the Holyrood mandate held by the SNP & Greens – Forget the 62% Scotland EU remain vote – But do Remember the intransigence of Theresa May & her 3 Brexiteers over the last 8 months who know their bargaining powers with the EU would be seriously diminished without Scotland and our resources .
I believe it is for this last reason that Theresa May is desperate to hold onto Scotland & by denying #ScotRef until after completion of the EU negotiations she is grasping at straws by kicking the problem further down the road in the forlorn hope of a change of heart by Scotland .
Nicola Sturgeon still holds the better hand in this high stake game of poker and without a section 30 order she could still settle the matter within her preferred time frame by engineering an early Holyrood election seeking a fresh mandate based on the information known at that time on any continuing EU -UK agreement or the worst of all, no agreement, a hard Brexit & Scotland being dragged out of Europe against the will of the people.
The choice would rest with the people. People power is seldom wrong.

Next week,the representatives of the London based political parties in Holyrood are going to vote against the democratic right of Scots to determine their future constitutional arrangements.
Looks like they are going to hang their hats on “Not Now” as the excuse for so doing but everyone knows that “Not Now” means “Not Ever” as far as they are concerned.
They have no interest in self determination for Scots or anything else which their masters determine not to be in the interests of the UK/England.
When an unelected leader of an unelected government can dictate what happens in Scotland,do we really need “democratic” representation in Holyrood from people who support that position.
Why bother.
If we just lie down and accept this dictat,then the next step will be the Tories abolishing Holyrood,or at least repatriating existing powers once they rewrite the Scotland Bill to accommodate those powers being taken back from Europe.
Back to the good old days.